Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi and Khajuraho

After eating the delicious breakfast at the hotel, leave for the sightseeing tour of Delhi.

Delhi is the capital of India. It is a massive metropolitan in north India. There are two sides of Delhi, One is the Old Delhi and the other is New Delhi. Old Delhi is popular for its architectural marvels that brilliantly portray the tales of its past era. On the other hand, New Delhi has contemporary infrastructure that interprets the modernization of the city.

There many popular attractions in both Old and New Delhi. You will start the tour by visiting the Jama Masjid and the Raj Ghat.

Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India. The courtyard has the capacity of accommodating 25,000 devotees. It is an impressive example of Mughal architecture built of red sandstone and white marble.

Raj Ghat is a black marble podium that is constructed at the spot of cremation of Mahatma Gandhi. A lovely garden with trees planted by personalities like Queen Elizabeth II, USA President Eisenhower, Ho Chi Minh and various others adds to beauty of the spot.

After lunch, you will visit the Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar.

Humayun's Tomb is a red sandstone tomb built amidst a square garden divided into four main parterres known as Charbagh. There is a shallow water channel at the center of this garden. The 42.5m high double dome is designed with marble and edged by exclusively carved chhatris (pillared kiosks). The entire structure is built with red sandstone with white and black inlaid marble borders.

Qutub Minar is a 73-meter high tower, which is a symbol of victory. The tower consists of 5 different storeys, each marked by a prominent balcony. The first 3 stories are built with red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the bottom of the tower, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is situated, the 1st mosque that was built in India.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

On day 2 of your Golden Triangle with Varanasi and Khajuraho tour, leave for Jaipur after having a delicious breakfast.

Jaipur is a vibrant amalgamation of the old and the new styles of architecture. Jaipur forms one of the most popular holidaying routes of the country, the Golden Triangle along with Agra and Delhi. The old city is surrounded by walls and gates which are adorned with drawings on the backdrop of a beautiful pink hue. Jaipur magnificently accomplishes to retain its old-world appeal. The city is home to many glorious palaces, forts, museums and temples. Jaipur is also bursting with busy local markets where you can shop for local handicrafts and jewelry. The 'Pink City' is also popular for its local cuisines as well.

Check-in at the hotel on reaching Jaipur. Relax in the hotel room for the entire day or take a stroll in the vicinity.

You can also opt to visit the Elephant Farm or the Nahargarh Sanctuary to cherish an enthralling experience. At Elephant Farm you can observe these big creatures from close quarters. You can feed them and take lots of selfies with them. On the other hand, at the Nahargarh Sanctuary, you can delight in an exciting jeep safari experience.

Return to the hotel and stay overnight.

After the sumptuous breakfast, head out for the tour of the Jaipur city. You will start by visiting the Amber Fort. It is an architectural masterpiece and holds an important place in Indian history. Amer Fort is clad in pink and yellow sandstone and is a part of an extensive complex. It is a beautiful amalgamation of the Hindu and the Mughal style of architecture.

After the lunch, head out to explore one more site in Jaipur i.e. Jaigarh Fort. It is a grand structure perched on the top of the 'Cheel ka Teela' Hills. This magnificent edifice was commissioned by Sawai Jai Singh II in the year 1726 to protect Amer Fort. Cradled on the top of the cliff, it is a palatial structure bounded by verdant greenery and massive battlements. This magnificent fort is connected to Amer Fort through subterranean passages and is famously known as the 'Fort of Victory' as it was never conquered. Presently, the fort is the home to the world's largest cannon on wheels called 'Jaivana' and offers a superb view of the Jaipur city. The concept and design of the fort are the efforts of the talented architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya.

You will also visit on the Laxmi Narayan temple, City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal.

Laxmi Narayan temple is also known as Birla Mandir and was constructed by the Birla Foundation. This temple is built using white marble and the main deity Lord Vishnu has been carved from single marble stone. There is also a small museum within the temple complex which houses the personal collection of the Birla family.

City Palace reflects the fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture. The City Palace complex is spread over a wide area which occupies one seventh of the old city of Jaipur. The parks, courtyards, buildings, museum and temple give an imposing view that imitates its historical significance and splendid royal elegance. Its external border was built by Raja Jai Singh and other structures by his heirs to add charisma to it. It has also served as a residence of the former Maharaja of Jaipur.

Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site also known as the Royal Observatory and includes a collection of astronomical instruments used for measuring the universal synchronization.

Hawa Mahal:- The honeycomb shape of this palace is due to the 953 windows in the outer wall of the palace. The building was constructed as a Zenana or Chamber of women. The Rajput royal women enjoyed the daily street life through the windows.

In the evening enjoy the cultural performances at Choki Dhani village resort.

Return to the hotel and stay overnight.

After having breakfast, leave for Agra which is about 243 km drive from Jaipur. On the way, halt at Fatehpur Sikri. This magnificent fortified ancient city is predominantly made of red sandstone. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a famous tourist attraction, Fatehpur Sikri is a fine example of Mughal architecture. Fatehpur Sikri is home to Buland Darwaza, which is among many other famous monuments, each of which, is an integral part of the Indian heritage.

Buland Darwaza or the loft gateway at Fatehpur Sikri was built by the great Mughal emperor Akbar, The 53.63m high and 35 meters wide gateway is the highest entrance in the world and an amazing illustration of the Mughal architecture. It is built with red and buff sandstone, decked by carvings and hatching of black and white marble. A Persian engraving on eastern arcade of the Buland Darwaza accounts Akbar's conquest over Deccan in 1601 A.D.

On your arrival at Agra, the tour representative will escort you to the hotel. In the evening, you can shop for the handicrafts in the local markets of Agra.

Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel.

The Agra tour will begin in the early hours of the 6th day. Firstly, explore the beautiful Taj Mahal. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Constructed entirely out of white marble in the 17th-century, it is among the finest edifices of Mughal architecture. Recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, this monument is also considered to be one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Every year lakhs of visitors come to Taj Mahal and catch the sight of this magnificent memorial and no one leaves dissatisfied.

After breakfast, there are other attractions for you to visit in Agra. The first place you will visit is the glorious Agra Fort. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort, when seen from a bird's eye view has a semicircular shape. The bottom of the fort is facing the banks of the Yamuna River. The Agra Fort is surrounded by a double fortified huge wall of red sandstone.

In the evening you can also explore Itimad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb. It is a very high decorative structure, which can be seen as an imminent predecessor of the Taj Mahal as far as intricate carvings and inlay work are concerned. The pure white and the ornately carved tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daulah imitates the Islamic style of architecture. It is a delightful tomb and is often referred to as mini Taj or Baby Taj.

Return to the hotel and stay overnight.

After the sightseeing at Agra, catch an early morning train from the Agra railway station and leave for your next destination Jhansi. You will arrive at Jhansi railway station, from where you will embark on an 18 km drive to Orchha. It is a town in Madhya Pradesh near the banks of Betwa River. The primitive city of Orchha seems to have frozen in time, its palaces and temples still retain their unique splendor. Orchha meaning hidden and was founded by the Bundela Rajput ruler, Rudra Pratap in the 16th-century. And the place was the capital of Bundelkhand rajas after they were forced out of Garkhundar by the Tughlaqs.

Some of the major attractions in Orchha are the popular Jahangir Mahal of Orchha, Raj Mahal and Laxmi Narayan Temple (mural paintings).

Jahangir Mahal can be well described as a blend of Mughal and Rajput architectures. It is an outstanding stone edifice constructed by Bir Singh Deo in the 17th-century to welcome the emperor. It is a three-storied building with a fountain at the central part and the 2 statues of elephants bowing down is an exhilarating sight in the entire Mahal. Jahangir Mahal, with the topped domes, hanging balconies, delicate chhatris, trellis and the stunning sculptures provide a wonderful architectural splendor that forces the visitor to come back again.

Raja Mahal has withstood the test of time without losing its charm that takes you back to one of the golden eras of history. The palace is constructed beautifully with impeccable architecture and breathtaking grandeur. Owned by the erstwhile kings of Orchha, the palace has kept the soul of India's most eminent royalty intact through all these years. The palace has wonderful towers and remarkable murals which will make the visit an absolute treat for any art enthusiast.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple is a huge temple built by Vir Singh Deo, in 1622. This temple shows a unique combination of fort and temple. It also has been renovated once in 1793 by Prithvi Singh. The temple is devoted to the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.

The main attractions of the temple are the ancient mural wall paintings present which reflect a mix of the Mughal and Bundela painting styles. The carved designs of the temple have been arranged in a geometrical form and below these designs are vistas from the time of Lord Krishna decorated with animal and flower patterns.

After exploring Orchha, start for another road trip to Khajuraho which is a 172 km drive. Check-in at the hotel when you arrive in Khajuraho. Freshen up and eat your dinner.

Enjoy an overnight stay in the hotel room.

After eating breakfast, spend the 8th-day of the Golden Triangle tour with Varanasi and Khajuraho exploring the wonderful world heritage sites of Khajuraho. The town is famous for its spectacular temples decorated by sensuous and erotic carvings. It is characterized into the western group of temples and eastern group of temples. Khajuraho is a great example of Indian architecture and its culture from medieval times. The architecture of these Jain and Hindu temples portray the innocent form of love. Constructed in between 950 to 1050 AD, the pure challenging nature of these carvings displays a plain inconsistency with the straight Indian principles about eroticism, leaving everybody enthralled. Art in this small town is engrained in all of its structures which are a classic example of the finesse of India's cultural and artistic heritage.

During the sightseeing, you will also visit the Laxmi & Varaha Temples, Kandariya Mahadev Temple and Devi Jagdambi Temple.

Laxmi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu. This structure is one of the monuments among the Khajuraho Group of Monuments.

Kandariya Mahadev temple is one of the most wonderful and largest temples in Khajuraho. The well-designed proportions of this building and its sculptural details are the most advanced examples of this artistic heritage of central India. Kandariya Mahadev shares its high platform with the small Mahadev shrine and the medium-sized Devi Jagdambi Temple, thereby emphasizing its grandeur and height.

After you're enamored by the temples, head straight to the Khajuraho airport and take a flight to Varanasi. On your arrival, our representative will guide you to the hotel. After completing the check-in formalities spend the evening at your own leisure.

Have the delicious dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.

On this day of Golden Triangle with Khajuraho and Varanasi tour, wake up early and enjoy the boat ride on the holy Ganga River. After the ride, return to the hotel to eat breakfast and leave for Sarnath which is 6 km away. Sarnath is situated 10 kilometers in north-east of Varanasi near the converging rivers the Ganges and the Varuna in Uttar Pradesh, India. The deer park in Sarnath is where Lord Gautama Buddha first preached the Dharma and where the Buddhist Sangha became a reality through the enlightenment of Kondanna.

Some of the popular attractions here are the Sarnath Museum and the Dhamek Stupa.

Sarnath features a rich accumulation of models, relics and structures involving virtuous Buddha and Bodhisattva pictures and other antiquated remains. The Archeological Survey of India has set up a Museum at Sarnath in 1910 to secure the precious items.

The Dhamek Stupa dates back to 500 CE and it was constructed to replace an earlier stupa commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE along with several other monuments.

After that, you will visit the Alamgir Mosque, Dashashwamedh Ghat and Bharat Mata Temple.

Alamgir Mosque is a 17th-century structure built by the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, on land which once had a Shiva Temple and was demolished by him. The mosque is an architecturally spectacular building constructed according to the Indo-Islamic style with stunning minarets and high domes.

Dashashwamedh Ghat is an important Ghat in Varanasi situated on the banks of Ganga River. It is nearby the Vishwanath Temple and is perhaps the most beautiful Ghat. This is the place where the spectacular Ganga Aarti is held every evening.

Bharat Mata Temple is one of the most attractive temples built-in 1936 by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta, a follower of Gandhi Ji. The specialty of this temple is that it is not dedicated to any god or goddess, rather it has a large map of undivided India. The map of India is carved out of marble.

It is located within the premises of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth. The monument was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. The temple also has a beautiful three-dimensional view, exhibiting the accurate proportions of lands, oceans and hills. The temple also gives a gorgeous view of the river Ganges and the Ghats in the close vicinity.

After the visit, return to the hotel and spend the night at the hotel.

On day 10, have the breakfast and head to the Varanasi airport for your flight back to Delhi. It will the will be the last day of your amazing tour. After reaching Delhi, travel to the International airport for your journey back home.